Volunteer in Goa, India
Our volunteer program in Goa, India is a great experience with different projects available for your volunteering work in India. The tiny state of Goa, located half way down India's western coast, has long been renowned for its natural beauty, golden sandy beaches, coconut groves, vibrant green paddy fields and dense forests. 450 years of Portuguese rule is still evident in its mix of religion, cuisine and in the architecture, baroque churches and grand mansions.
The Program
The program will start with your arrival at Goa International Airport. After you land in Goa airport please walk outside arrivals. Your coordinator will be holding a board with your name printed on it. The coordinator will then take you the accommodation. You need to arrive on the Sunday before your start date. You can join from 2 weeks up to 6 months. The first week of the program will be an Introduction week. The Introduction week is the first step towards a comfortable stay in a new country. It’s an action packed and fun filled week that is dedicated to getting to know Goa and India in all its cultural aspects. You will also get time to meet the local people, taste the local cuisine, get familiar with the local Goan customs and join a group of participants from different parts of the world. Many new things will be introduced to you and it will be the time to get used to the local culture.
Goa Introduction Week
The Goa introduction week is where you get an understanding of what India is all about, its religion, culture and people.
Location Description
Goa is one of India’s most cherished places and has been a renowned travelers paradise. It’s beautiful green, lush landscape, dense palm groves, Portuguese style white washed churches, rich culture, sandy beaches, white washed churches, and colorful festivals all make up the Goa Experience.
Food and Accommodation
You will be staying in the Volunteer House in Goa sharing a room with other volunteers. This is a beautiful old portuguese styled twin houses which includes a garden, kitchen and a living room.
You will be provided all three meals per day on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 2 meals per day on the weekend.
Program Requirements
The minimum age for joining the program is 18. There are no specific qualifications needed to join the volunteer program in Goa. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as possess a passion and love for children.
Volunteer Projects
Teaching Project
Education is probably the most important tool in development. Therefore, participants are invited to teach English to the local children at a kindergarten or primary schools. We work with several kindergartens and schools in Goa where we send volunteers to assist teachers and to teach English. The different schools and kindergartens encourage a non- formal approach to teaching. This means that we will not have to conform to the local teaching methods or style, but everyone will be free to choose their own way of teaching and may bring their own ideas into class. It is important to understand that the methods of teaching are less important than the attitude of the participant towards the students.
The teaching program serves a dual purpose. Of course it is meant to help children in rural India to have a chance to speak more English (usually even their teachers aren’t up to standard) and secondly it will give an insight into the education system as well as it is a chance to become good friends with students and teachers. Whether you are a qualified teacher or simply interested in helping kids abroad, we have volunteer teaching opportunities at schools and kindergartens. Participants should have a reasonable good level of English and some knowledge and prior experience in teaching is appreciated but not necessary.
Orphanage Project
The orphanage provides housing, food and teaching materials for these poor children. Besides teaching English on a non-formal basis, the volunteers are able to work with the children and to create activities for the students or arrange workshops for cultural exchange, environmental and other important issues. We will also do construction, renovation work in making the place better. Depending on the particular skill of the participants or group ideas we may do some art or handicraft as well.
Orphanages in India have few resources and staff for all the kids they have to look after, so they need lots of help from volunteers to making them brighter, happier places to live. As a volunteer on our orphanage projects you can get involved in all sorts of things on these projects from building maintenance to care to teaching English. Most orphanages in India have integrated on their grounds their own primary (and secondary) school for their pupils. The school is also open for poor families. Of course the orphanage provides housing, food and teaching materials for these poor students as well.
Women Shelter Project
India is trying to change the way of thinking about women in the society and fighting to give equal rights to them as men. Be part of the rehabilitation process of young girls who come from distressed families.
Some of the activities include : rehabilitation of the girls who come from broken families, provision of a safe and caring atmosphere, provide education and give skills so that the girls are able to be independent income generators, give them the self-respect that they have been denied previously.
Volunteers have been helping with the studies of some of the girls by teaching them English in a fun and interesting way. They have also been playing various games to promote both relaxation and some physical exercise as some of them have become demoralized and really relish time spent thinking of other things. Just the cultural exchange and interaction with international volunteers provide the girls/ women with much needed confidence and exposure. Your main task will be to prepare and give English lessons to the girls, play games including sports, and you are also free to organize several activities, such as music lessons, sports and games.
Prices
Prices |
US$ |
GBP |
EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
2 weeks |
670 |
415 |
465 |
3 weeks |
850 |
530 |
590 |
4 weeks |
1030 |
645 |
715 |
extra week |
195 |
120 |
135 |
Our program includes these services:
Volunteer Projects
WLS International offers worthwhile projects that focus on matching the interests, skills, and experiences of volunteers with their volunteer work.
Airport pickup
Upon the receipt of the flight information you will be met at the airport.
Accommodation
You will be staying in the volunteer center in Goa
Food
You will be provided all three meals per day on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 2 meals per day on the weekend.
In-country transportation
We will take you to the different projects the first time. After that volunteers are responsible for daily transportation to and from their projects.
Support
Your local coordinator will co-ordinate your program and be available for support during your program.
Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of your respective service project, participants receive a certificate upon request illustrating their contributed time.
Pre-departure information
We help you with any questions that you have regarding your program before you leave.
The prices of our programs also cover the cost of researching, visiting the projects, advertising and promotion costs, office expenses and staff at our head office and local staff.
Not included in the prices is your flight, insurance, visa, personal expenses and daily transport to the project.
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volunteer testimonial
I helped to decorate and paint the orphanage and played games with the children. The accommodation, the food and the coordinator is very good. This project is useful for the local community.
Daniel Claeys, UK